JJ Atkins 2014 Ambition for Looks Like The Cat

Local horseman Tony Gollan is confident of bagging a Group 1 win this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, one of his top chances being youngster Looks Like The Cat who is still 2014 JJ Atkins-bound despite their BTC Cup Day loss.

The two-year-old Husson colt will get a chance to turn the tables on their last start conqueror, the Chris Waller-trained Brazen Beau, after they ran second to them in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben over the weekend.

The major support race of the day, the Champagne Classic saw Waller’s I Am Invincible colt Brazen Beau pull away to win by nearly two lengths in a thrilling performance.

It was a commanding win that saw them confirmed for the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) next start on May 24 followed by a shot at the big time in the $500,000 Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Handicap Day a fortnight later.

That’s the same Brisbane assignments Gollan has penciled in for Champagne Classic runner-up Looks Like The Cat who was far from disgraced in just their second career assignment on the weekend.

A shoe-in looks-wise to former cult hero Apache Cat, Looks Like The Cat shares the same baldy face as the eventual eight-time Group 1 winner and Gollan is hoping they can enjoy just some of that same sort of success on the track.

Before the Champagne Gollan and connections were knocking back a six figure offer from Hong Kong to buy the juvenile, and if they can back-up and atone in the JJ Atkins the offers are sure to come again hard and fast.

“The J.J. is the race I earmarked from the get-go, from the minute I started working with him,” Gollan told the Courier Mail.

“There is good depth in his female pedigree so the journey should be no concern. And he is by a very good stallion.

“I think when he gets to the mile you will see the best of him this winter.”

Gollan also confirmed on Saturday that he would back-up his William Reid Stakes winner Spirit Of Boom in both the $650,000 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) Saturday week and the $1.36 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 7 after their brave run.

The Sequalo six-year-old held on for second in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) coming from behind frontrunner and odds-on favourite Buffering, who dropped off to finish third, to cross a half length away second to upset winner Famous Seamus ($41).

Stay tuned for all the latest on the Brisbane Group 1s over the coming weeks.

Then for the best winter racing odds make sure you have an account open at Ladbrokes.com.au who are offering Best Tote or SP + 20% bonus markets on a number of the features this season!

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